Wires family donates memorabilia to Galion Avita

Andrew O'Connor holds the original trowel used to break ground on Galion Community Hospital in 1974. The trowel was donated by members of the Wires family.(Photo: Olivia Minnier/Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum)Buy Photo

GALION - Members of the Wires family donated Galion Community Hospital memorabilia to Avita last week.

Heather Bennett, granddaughter of former Galion Community Hospital administrator David J. Wires and two of his great-grandsons gave items from his personal collection to the hospital.

Wires was an administrator for Galion Community Hospital from 1953 until 1979 and was responsible for several expansions of the location.

The items include a trowel that was used to break ground on Galion Community Hospital in 1974 as well as a framed portrait of Wires. The family also included several photos of Wires and others who worked at the hospital, which date back almost six decades.

"We were thrilled to hear about this donation and it was great meeting Ms. Bennett and her family and hearing the stories they had to share. We will present this memorabilia proudly in our hospital," Kim Winkle, Vice President of Corporate Relations and Operational Support.

Andrew O'Connor, a marketing representative for the hospital, said that they have plans to display the items but no clear plans have been made as of now.

O'Connor also said that Bennett donated her grandmother's, who used to work as a nurse at the hospital, white nursing gloves and the pins that would have been worn on her uniform.

“Mr. Wires was the CEO of Galion Hospital at its genesis,” said Jerome Morasko, President/CEO of Avita Health Systems in a press release. “His dedication for more than 25 years laid the foundation for the hospital for many years to come. We are honored to receive memorabilia from his collection and look forward to displaying it prominently in our hospital.”

Currently, the items are being held in storage in the basement of the hospital until plans are made to display them.